Colorado Rockies: Kyle Freeland talks dogs, Denver and daring hits

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 6: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates after the third out of the seventh inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field on August 6, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

San Francisco – Kyle Freeland isn’t pitching for the Colorado Rockies in this series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t helping Denver while he is in the Bay Area.

The rising star for the Colorado Rockies announced on social media shortly after he helped finish off the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 10-3 win on Thursday afternoon that he was doing what he could to help dogs in Denver. And he’s doing it through the notoriety he is gaining through baseball.

According to Freeland’s Instagram account, “I’ve teamed up with Wilson to raise money for Planned Pethood Adoptions and give you a chance to win a custom A2000. Build your dream glove at wilsoncustomgloves.com, post a screen grab of it using #FreeA2000 and tag @wilsonballglove. If my hashtag is used more than the other #TeamWilsonplayers, Planned Pethood will receive an even greater donation!”

I asked Freeland about that inside the Rockies clubhouse before Colorado started a three-game series against the Giants on Friday night. He told me that fellow Rockies pitcher Jon Gray helped him find a Denver-area pet charity to support with the cause.

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He also shared that five Major League players are competing to win a $2,000 prize for their local charity. No matter who wins, at least a $1,000 donation will be made to Planned Pethood Adoptions. And it’s all driven through social media.

“It’s pretty crazy how quickly it can go.” Freeland said. “I was keeping an eye on it yesterday and today. I know Josh Harrison personally and I know his is taking off really well too. There’s a little bit of competition there. We’re in the same agency together so it’s cool to go up against him.”

As a self-proclaimed dog lover and proud dog parent, helping Denver dogs is an easy thing for Freeland to do.

“I’ve always loved dogs,” Freeland smiled. “I grew up with a German Shepherd. All my neighbors had dogs. Friends had dogs. I have two dogs now. I love them very much.”

DENVER, CO – JULY 2: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a game at Coors Field on July 2, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Freeland also said he loves being from Denver and giving back where he can, including assisting Denver Public Schools whenever possible. He recently returned to the elementary school where he once attended to help current students by handing out backpacks and words of encouragement.

Being a “Denver kid” is a point of pride for Freeland as is giving back where possible to his hometown.

“It’s very important. That’s one thing I’ve really started to get into this year,” Freeland said. “Trying to get rooted back into the Denver Public Schools system and help out those kids in any way we can. Any other ways that I can help in the city, whether it’s schools or pets or whatever, I’d love to do it.”

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Sure, being a local guy may bring an extra level of complications to game day and beyond with extra ticket requests and extra familiar eyes on every pitch. However, Freeland says he doesn’t mind.

“I embrace it,” he said of playing professionally in his hometown. “I think it’s more of a confidence thing than a burden. It’s something I love to have. It feels like I have the city behind my back. I have my friends and family at the games. It’s great having that support system and being from Denver.”

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 13: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies runs down the baseline after hitting a RBI double in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on September 13, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

During Freeland’s start on Thursday, it was discovered that he has yet to allow an unearned run to score this season. When an opponent reaches base who shouldn’t, Freeland has mentally geared down even more in an effort to help his teammates out of a jam. I asked him about that.

“I’m just trying to pick my teammates up,” Freeland said. “I know you have to be aware that an error is going to happen. It’s almost impossible for someone to go an entire season without an error. As a teammate, you’re supposed to pick them up in any way you can. You encourage them and say, ‘Hey, on this next one, we’re going to turn a double play.’ They want to pick themselves up as much as I want to help pick them up.

“It’s like giving up a home run in the first inning to the first batter. Turn the page. Get on with it. You can’t change it. Nothing can come from it. You have to focus on the next guy.”

Also on Thursday, Freeland laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit to lead off the fourth inning, much to the delight of the 31,783 fans in attendance. Freeland said he made the decision to try for the bunt hit when he saw Arizona third baseman Eduardo Escobar playing deep. It’s not often you see pitchers bunt for a single but when a third baseman is daring you to do it, why not?

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“Escobar is one of the first guys to play me behind the bag,” Freeland smiled. “Usually guys are playing me either even with the bag or in front of the bag a little bit, even with runners on. I saw that and said, ‘You know, I might as well give it a shot.’ It worked out.”

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San Francisco – Kyle Freeland isn’t pitching for the Colorado Rockies in this series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t helping Denver while he is in the Bay Area.

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